'People don't seem to think it matters anymore' - concerns over social distancing in Britain's smallest city

Watch Jess Main's video report

Concerns are growing among residents of St Davids in Pembrokeshire over Covid-19 measures as more and more tourists arrive for the summer season.

Many business owners say the return of large numbers of visitors is making social distancing impossible in Britain's smallest city.

Maura owns a Deli in St Davids

"There are only around 1,800 people living here all year round, but then we can get 25-30 thousand visitors when all the campsites, hotels and cottages are fully open", Moura Kempster, owner of a deli in St Davids, told ITV News.

"Normally, we know what's it's like, we knuckle down, we know that it's the time of year that the businesses that are open all year round make their money to cover for the losses in the winter.

"But now, with the Covid situation, the people want to come back, they come every year a lot of them, they want to come back to an area they feel safe, they love and they enjoy, but some of the businesses have gone out of business sadly as a result of the lockdown, and most of those were food outlets, so now there's fewer food outlets serving as many people".

Moura told ITV News it is almost a "vicious circle" where premises are so busy, social distancing is hard to maintain.

"We're really happy to have them back, but they've all experienced Covid differently and many of them have looked forward to this holiday so much, they're perhaps a little too relaxed", Moura added.

St Davids is a vibrant location with a deep history and breathtaking coastline. It has long been a favourite for artists, travellers and surfers.

Many people travel to St Davids to visit the famous cathedral, where Wales' patron is buried.

The town was awarded city status in the 16th century, but lost this in 1888. It was restored in 1994 at the request of Queen Elizabeth II.

Along the the high street, Chris Taylor owns a bookshop. He is worried that visitors are not taking the need to socially distance seriously enough. He told ITV News he is worried about a spike of coronavirus cases in the area in the Autumn.

"With respect to social distancing, I'm really disappointed that people don't seem to think it matters anymore.

"And I'm disappointed that people don't seem to think it matters to wear a mask either, even though there are four notices outside my shops asking people to do so".

Chris said he wishes mask wearing was compulsory in shops in Wales, as it is now in England and Scotland.

"We went into lockdown for three and a half months, and now it's all being undone and people don't seem to care".

Residents' concerns come as it was announced that swimming pools, indoor fitness studios, gyms and leisure centres will be able to reopen from Monday.

Children’s indoor play areas will also be able to open their doors again as part of the latest changes to the coronavirus regulations in Wales. However areas that cannot be cleaned easily, like ball pits, should remain closed.

There are signs outside most shops explaining the latest coronavirus guidelines

Business owners like Chris Taylor are worried the regulations still in place are not being followed.

"I'm anxious, I'm in my 80th year, and that's why I wear my mask, and why I hope other people do the same in my shop", Chris said.

"But I feel like social distancing appears to be a lost cause, and that really puzzles me. People don't seem to think it matters anymore".

Some people want more enforcement, but Pembrokeshire County Council say they can only go so far.

Cllr Phil Baker said, "We do have the visitor ambassadors that are on hand in our key resorts to remind people to socially distance but at the end of the day it is down to individual people".